Walking closer with Him day by day

Category: Acts

Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

God has made salvation accessible to everyone and easy to obtain. In fact, it is rather simple. We are not responsible for fulfilling a list of requirements or righteous acts. We do not have to earn salvation ourselves or somehow become worthy. All we have to do is believe.

Our Heavenly Father longs for all His children to be saved. He freely offers salvation to every willing soul. Regardless of your status or situation, the offer remains the same. Do not refuse such a wonderful gift. Take God at His word; believe and be saved.

Further Reading – Romans 10:9, 10, 13 – 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 7:39 – To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt

Because of the mighty power of the Lord, Israel was made free of the house of bondage. For the first time in several generations, God’s chosen people were free. However, though their bodies were free, their minds were still captive to sin and pleasure. In short, their hearts were “turned back again into Egypt”. Though a (relatively) small few of this world is literally, physically enslaved, many hearts are chained to the things of this world. The pleasures of the flesh lure free human beings into voluntary slavery. This need not be the case. Just as God delivered His children from physical slavery, He will readily save His erring children from the bondage of sin. Ask the Lord to set you free and break the chains of unrighteousness around you. And if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

Further Reading – John 8:36-39 – 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Acts 5:41 – 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

The Apostles had been arrested yet again. Their continued preaching of the gospel angered those who had the devil as their father. But, despite being imprisoned, questioned, and beaten, they left the council rejoicing. Rejoicing? Why?

They were able to rejoice because they did not see their punishments as we see them: unfair treatment of the people of God. Instead, they counted it a blessing, proof they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s name.

Our views our so twisted that we view our blessings as curses. We see the things God has meant for our good and view them as punishments and unfair persecution. Would to God we would realize just how much of a blessing and an honor it is to suffer for the name of Christ.

Further Reading – Matthew 5:10-12 – 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Acts 4:29-31 – 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

The courage of biblical characters is often admired. They boldly preached the kingdom of God despite the threat of persecution and even death. But, these men and women were mortal just as we are. Their boldness and courage was not their own. In fact, after the authorities originally threatened Peter and John, they immediately put the situation before God. They asked the Lord for boldness and courage to speak His word and were granted that gift. Do not worry if you currently lack the necessary boldness to preach Christ. Ask, as the Apostles did, in prayer. You shall receive.